Here's how the TNR program works:
We catch the kitties, take them to the vet to be checked out and while there they get all of the important shots, they get spayed or neutered, and then a small bit of their left ear is trimmed off (under anesthesia of course) so they can be identified as part of the TNR program in the future. We then deliver the feral cats back to the exact place where they were trapped and they go on about their business (in the mostly warm and sometimes swampy areas of NW Florida that means keeping down the rat and snake population). The feral cats are then fed and watched by other volunteers so that if new cats come into the area they can be taken care of as well.
Sometimes feral cats that have not been identified and trapped have kittens and when this happens we work hard to remove the kittens after they have been weaned from their mother. We then adopt them out to good homes so they can have a better life than their parents.
We also run across friendly cats that have been abandoned (this happens a lot during difficult economic times). When found, volunteers try to foster the abandoned cat until it is comfortable with humans again. We then place the cat in a new home through adoption.
I painted this picture the other night when I was thinking about the feral cats we try so hard to help. I wish every cat had a loving family, a warm house and a window perch. Until they do, we'll keep watching out for our feline friends.
Feline Friends
5x7 watercolor and pen on 140lb paper
Purchase a 5x7 copy of this print for $5 today and
100% of the proceeds will go to Feline Friends of Destin!
For more information on Feral cats and the humane TNR program visit Alley Cat Allies. For more about the local volunteer group I belong to click here: Feline Friends of Destin.
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7 COMMENTS - Click here to leave YOURS!:
Excellent cause! I admire you greatly for volunteering for such a large but important undertaking. I've purchased the kitty print in memory of my beloved cat Uno 1985-2003.
Jennifer you are the BEST! Thanks so much, I'll get the print in the mail to you this Saturday!
I am sorry I can't even afford $5 right now but I am really happy that people like you are working on this problem. Thanks.
It's a great cause-- they have something like this in the town my mom lives in, and she still sees the kitties that have been TNRed. Thank you for doing this!
Having participated in the TNR program in our neighborhood here in Frangista Beach, I know how rewarding it is -- both for those of us who trap and for the cat population! The last liter that one of my feral mother cats had produced my "Sammie" -- he's totally domesticated now and lives both inside and out! He's the sweetest cat I've ever owned! Thank you for caring and thank you for painting such a wonderful picture! I'm buying one also!!!!
Thanks Linda! You guys are wonderful!
I admire and salute you for addressing this awful and sad issue. Thanks from a cat lover.
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